Original graphic from supergiantgames.com, modified by Addison Lambert.
Editor’s note: The following is a review piece written by a KCSU staff member.
The fascinating rogue-like role-playing Game “Hades” was released into the gaming community on September 17, 2020 after an initial early access release in December 2018. Following its release, fans of Supergiant Games and new players alike became completely enthralled with the intricate and engaging narrative and gameplay in “Hades.” The RPG went on to be critically acclaimed and nominated for several awards, winning the title of Game of the Year from over fifty different gaming publications. Along with the stimulating plot and beautiful game design, the game soundtrack is truly something to behold.
The “Hades” soundtrack was composed by the renowned Darren Korb and can be described as nothing more than a masterpiece designed to create the perfect fusion of gameplay and soundtrack, resulting in an overall phenomenal gaming experience. Korb is well known throughout the gaming industry for his music in other Supergiant Games productions such as “Bastion,” “Transistor” and “Pyre,” the precursor to “Hades.” The hard rock soundtrack, based heavily on electric guitars and strong bass, that Korb crafted for “Hades” allows the player to be fully enthralled within the game and creates a perfect atmosphere for battling your way out of hell.
In the game, you play as Zagreus, son of Hades, who is desperately trying to escape his father’s underworld. Throughout the game, you meet a variety of other gods or goddesses who either help Zagreus with his mission or, more commonly, try to hinder your progress by defeating you. Korb geniously wrote a different track for each boss you encounter on your journey and matches the fighting styles of the boss with the way the soundtrack is composed.
‘Hades’ is overall a fantastic game with an extremely entertaining and enthralling plot accompanied by beautiful game design and gameplay, but the real cherry on top is the astounding soundtrack.”
Each boss battle is paired with intense and heavy instrumental rock that never has lyrics to ensure the player’s utmost focus. The upbeat, instrumental music allows for the player to be fully engaged in the dramatic boss battle they are dealing with. You can hear shifts in the fight within the track.
As Zagreus begins to win and the boss’s health gets low, the music becomes even more intense and fast-paced. This shift gives the player an auditory signal that the battle is about to become harder as the boss’s attacks quicken and can cause more damage, all the while further intensifying the player’s focus.
Korb also does an amazing job at letting the player know when they can let down their guard a little by incorporating more melodious tracks with vocals performed by Ashley Barrett and sometimes Korb himself. These more peaceful tracks are still designed with similar rhythmic instrumentation to the more intense tracks, and they still allow for the player to maintain focus as they continue their dungeon crawl, fighting lesser mobs until they can ultimately defeat Hades and escape the underworld.
“Hades” is overall a fantastic game with an extremely entertaining and enthralling plot accompanied by beautiful game design and gameplay, but the real cherry on top is the astounding soundtrack designed by Korb. The alluring game truly transforms into an entire experience through Korb’s music and the way he integrates different musical components into different game scenes to give the player a truly encompassing experience.
You can check out “Hades” and other Supergiant Games productions at Supergiant Games. Darren Korb’s soundtracks for “Hades” and other productions like “Pyre,” “Transistor” and “Bastion” can be found on Spotify.
Addison Lambert can be reached at promotions@kcsufm.com.